Washington (CNN) - While the talks between President Barack Obama and President Hu Jintao may not have produced major headlines on currency and trade, there was news about the National Zoo's beloved pandas.

In the toasts at the State Dinner, President Obama announced that the pandas can extend their visit to the zoo for a little longer. As an example of the ways the United States and China are working together, Mr. Obama said, "under a new agreement, our National Zoo will continue to dazzle children and visitors with the beloved giant pandas."

(CNN) - Shortly after the House voted to repeal the Obama administration's signature health care legislation, an independent group released ads aimed at three potentially vulnerable freshmen Republicans who voted for the bill.

Starting Thursday, Public Campaign Action Fund, a liberal-leaning non-profit, will run 30-second TV ads in the districts of Ohio's Jim Renacci, New Jersey's Jon Runyan and Michigan's Tim Walberg.FULL POST

Washington (CNN) - The House of Representatives voted to repeal the Obama administration's signature health-care legislation Wednesday evening, a vote the newly elected Republican majority called a fulfillment of their No. 1 campaign promise.

The bill, dubbed the "Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act," passed 245-189. Three Democrats joined a unanimous Republican caucus on the vote.

Washington (CNN) – The joint news conference with the two presidents started off just fine. President Barack Obama praised a "spirit of cooperation that is also friendly competition." President Hu Jintao told reporters the countries' relationship is based on "mutual respect and mutual benefit."

Then came the "lost in translation" moment that turned the press availability into what felt like one long Chinese-language lesson.FULL POST

(CNN) - Michael Steele, the newly ousted chairman of the Republican National Committee, said he's "disappointed" he lost the recent election but that many in his party are relieved.

"I think the people in the party, particularly the establishment, are breathing a sigh of relief," Steele said Wednesday on CNN's "The Situation Room." "They have control of the RNC now; let's see what they do with it."FULL POST

(CNN) - The Ticker would be remiss if we did not throw ourselves into the latest Washington parlor game of trying to guess the identity of the anonymous author of the soon-to-be-released "O," a self-titled "political novel" that fictitiously forecasts President Barack Obama's upcoming campaign for re-election.

We received an advanced copy so we're giving you a sneak peek – with a little analysis (and read to the bottom because we're offering prizes to the first correct guesses for when the real author is inevitably revealed).FULL POST

Washington (CNN) – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who in a Tuesday television interview called Chinese President Hu Jintao a "dictator," won't attend the formal White House state dinner in Hu's honor Wednesday. However, a Reid aide insisted the two aren't connected and said Reid can't make the dinner because he "is traveling back from Nevada and it takes all day."

"It's not like he's in DC and he's avoiding it. He's been in Nevada for the last week or two," said the aide who asked not to be identified. "It just didn't work out that way. I think you shouldn't be reading anything it to it. It's a logistical question."FULL POST

Washington (CNN)-More than 200 diplomats, journalists, government officials and their guests will travel to the White House on Wednesday night as President Obama and the first lady host Chinese President Hu Jintao for an official state dinner, the third of the Obama administration.

Honey and produce from the White House kitchen garden are included on the menu, which features pear salad, poached main lobster, lemon sorbet, dry aged rib eye, and "old fashioned apple pie" with vanilla ice cream. Guests will dine in the Blue Room, Red Room, and State Dining Room for dinner, moving to the East Room for the evening's entertainment.